Folding box



March 16, 1965 A. M. MICHALKA 3,173,600

FOLDING BOX Filed Sept. 16, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A7TURNE Y5.

March 16, 1965 Filed Sept. 16, 1963 A. M. MICHALKA FOLDING BOX 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I \32 M 1 W lNVEN TOR.

fi/ols M Michel/kc:

ATTDRNEYS.

March 16, 1965 A. M. MICHALKA FOLDING BOX Filed Sept. 16, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet s z z E IN VENTOR.

fl/ols N NichaZ/ra March 16, 1965 A, M, MICHALKA 3,173,600

FOLDING BOX Filed Sept. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR.

{4065 /7 Wicket/14a ATTUQNEYS.

March 16, 1965 A M. MICHALKA 3,173,600

FOLDING BOX Filed Sept. 16, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 5 la'llmu 7mg ATTGQNEYS'.

United States Patent 3,173,660 FOLDING BOX Alois M. Michalka, Rte. 6A, Portland, Conn. Filed Sept. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 309,004

2 Claims. (11. 222-44) This invention relates generally to paper folding box constructions and more particularly to a paper folding box construction formed from a single die-cut blank and having a hinged inverted box-like cover.

The invention is directed to an improved arrangement of interlocking flaps constituting the top or cover of the box construction. The bottom of the box comprises folded flaps held in folded condition by adhesive.

The body of the box construction is rectangular in configuration and in cross section. The novel top of the box construction is constituted by folded flaps forming an inverted shallow box hinged to the body of the box, fitting over the top of the body of the box construction and held in closed position by friction of the side walls of the box body and of the cover.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a paper box construction with a hinged box-like cover formed from a single die-cut blank.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inverted shallow box hingedly mounted on the top of a box body construction and serving as a cover therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paper box construction with a box-like cover composed of interlocking panels and flaps.

Still another object is to provide a die-cut blank for forming a box-body with a hinged box-like cover fitting over the body of the box-body.

Yet another object, according to a modification thereof, is to provide a paper box construction capable of meeting postal regulations for sending through the mail.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and

to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a box construction, embodying the invention, the cover being shown in open condition.

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the first step in the closing operation of the cover.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof,

FIG. 4 is a front view of the box as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the box construction showing the cover completely open.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view as seen from the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the box construction with the cover in closed condition.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the blank from which the box construction of FIG. 1 is formed.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the box of FIG. 10, with the cover partly opened, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the box of FIG. 10 in completely open condition.

ice

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the blank from which the box construction of FIG. 10 is formed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a box construction made in accordance with the invention is shown and designated generally at 10. The box construction is made from a single blank 12 shown in FIG. 9, die cut from a single sheet of pliable cardboard, pasteboard or Bristol board.

The blank 12 comprises four generally rectangular panels 14, 16, 18, 20 joined by fold lines 22, 24, 26. These panels constitute the front, rear and sides of the box construction 10 as seen in FIG. 1. Panel 20, with central cutout portion 28, forms the front of the box construction. Panel 16 forms the rear. Panel 18 forms the left side and panel 14 forms the right side as viewed in FIG. 1. A suitable adhesive or gum 30 is applied to a narrow flap 32 joined to the side panel 18 by a fold line 34. This adhesive engages the inner surface of the front panel 20 of the set-up box.

Four flaps 36, 38, 40, 42 extend laterally of panels 18, 16, 14, 20, respectively, as seen in FIG. 9, and are connected to the panels by fold lines 44, 46, 48, 50, respectively. Flap 38 is coated with adhesive or gum as indicated at 52 and engages the outer surfaceof flap 42 when the box construction is set up. Flaps 36, 38, 40, 42 interlock to form a closed bottom for the box construction as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

A narrow rectangular panel 54 extends laterally of the rear panel 16 as viewed in FIG. 9 and is connected to panel 16 by a fold line 56. Panel 54 is cut loose from panels 13 and 14 by slits 58. Connected to panel 54 by a fold line 60 is another wider panel 62 shown laterally of panel 54 as viewed in FIG. 9. Connected to panel 62 by a fold line 64 is another rectangular-shaped panel 66. Flaps 7t) and 72 are connected to the ends of panel 66 by fold lines 76, 76. Flaps '78, 78 are connected to flaps 719, 72 by fold lines 80, 80 and are separated from panels 14 and 18 by slits 82, 82. An elongated rectangular strip 64 is connected to flap 72 by a fold line 86, and a short flap 88 is connected to flap 76 by a fold line 90. Flap 88 is coated with adhesive or gum as indicated at 92 for con necting the end of strip 84 to the flap.

The panels 62, 66, flaps 7t), 72, 78, 88 and strip 84 constitute the top cover 94 of the box and the panel 54 constitutes the hinged connection between the box-body and cover. In forming the cover 94, the flaps 70 and 72 are folded inwardly forming the sides of the cover and the strip 84 is extended across the space between the folded flaps at the front thereof as viewed in FIG. 6, with the free end of the strip fastened to flap 88 by the adhesive 92. The flaps 78, 78 are then folded inwardly toward the center of the cover as seen in FIG. 7. The folded panel 66, flaps "70, 72, 78, 78, 88, strip 84 and panel 62 constitute the shallow box-like cover 94, the panel 62 and flaps 78, 78 constituting the top of the cover, the panel 66 the front, the flaps 70, 72 the sides and the strip 84 the rear as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As viewed in FIG. 6, the free edges of the flaps 70, 72 taper downwardly from the flap 66 to the strip 84, and the free top edges of the panels 14 and 18 constituting the sides of the box body, taper slightly downwardly from the rear panel 16 to the front panel 20, thereby providing points 96 at the rear inside top edges of the sides 14 and 18. I

By reason of this construction, when closing the cover over the open top of the box-like body from the open position of FIG. 6 to the closed position of FIG. 8, the panel 54 is swung downwardly along fold line 56 against .the top outer surface of the rear panel 16 of the box body,

bringing the panel 54 into juxtaposition with the strip 84 as shown in FIG. 5. The width of the box-like cover 94 is slightly wider than the width of the open top of the box-body so that the folding operation of the panel 54 brings the points 96 of the sides 14 and 18 of the box body inside of the sides 70 and 72 of-the cover at the juncture of the sides with the strip84, with the surfaces of the sides 14 and 18 of the box-body and the surf-aces of the sides 70 and 72 of the cover in frictional engagement with each other as shown in FIG. 2. The coveris panel 136. Cutting the hinge members 124, ;124 out of the ends of the extension 116 provides a clearance whereby thesides 14', 18' of the body may be extended upward and tapered, terminating .in a point 96.

The panels 20', 16', 14', 18 and 32 constitute the body of the box construction and when folded along the connesting fold lines, panel 20' constitutes the front, 16' the then swung in an arc forwardly and downwardly as seen in FIGS." 2, 3, 4 and 5, the sides 70 and'72 of the cover and the sides 14 and 18 of the box-body being in frictional engagement, the edge of the front 66 of the cover clearing the top edge of the front 20 of the box-body,

and the inner surface of the front 66 of the cover frictionall'y engaging the front 20 of the box-bodylmoving downwardlyover the cutout portion28 into a closed position, as shown in FIG. 8, with-a snap action.

Referring now to the modified form'of box construc- V 132, 134 constitute the top cover 94'. of the box construe.-

tion 10' shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, inclusive, wherein the box construction shown is capable of meeting postal regulations and is adapted to be sent through the mails. The box construction 1t) is also formed from a single blank 12 shown in FIG. 15, die cut "from a single sheet of 4 pliable cardboard, .pasteboard or Bristol board.

The blank :12, comprises four generally, rectangular panels 14, 16', 13', 20' joined by fold lines 22,124, 26'.

These panels constitute the front, rear and sides of the box construction 10' as seen in FIGS. 10 and 12. Panel 20 forms the front of the-box-construction. *Panel 16 forms the rear. Panel '18 forms the leftside and panel 14' forms the right side'as viewed in FIG. 12. A suitable adh sive or gum 30 is applied to a narrow flap 32' joined to the side panel 18 by a fold line 34'. This adhesive engagesthe inner surface-of the front panel20 ofthe seeup hex. g I I areetangular panel-42' extends laterally of panel 20 and is .join'edthereto by a fold line 50 and a-similar panel 104 extends .later'ally of panel 42 and is joined thereto byafold line 106. A flap 40 extends laterally of panel 14 and isjoined thereto by a'fold line 48' anda similar 116 is cut inwardly for a short distance :along' the fold lines 22' and 24' as indicated at 118, 118, and cut in- 'wardly for a similar distance inwardly and laterally "of cuts 118, 118 as indicated at .120, 120 and is provided with a fold'line 56', 56'- between the 'cut' lines 118, i120 thereby providing integral hinge 'members 54, 54. A narrow rectangular strip 84' :is laterally connected to'the hinge members'54', 54"by fold lines 122, 122 as viewed in FIG. 15. Flaps 78', 78" are connected to the ends of strip 84' "by fold lines 124, 124. Another flap 126 forms a continuation ,of flap 7 8"'by a foldfline' 128. Flap 126 1 is coated-with adhesive or gum as indicated at 130. Another flap 132 is connected to the side of flap 78" by a tion and the members 54',54 constitute the hinges between the box body and cover. In forming the cover, the

flaps 78', 78", 126, 132, 134" are folded inwardly. The

panel 136 .isifolded perpendicularly relative to panel 146 3 and panel-150 is folded perpendicularly to panel '146 and parallel to panel 136. Flaps 78'and 78" are disposed between folded panels 136 and 150 and flaps 132 and 154 are disposed along panel 146, with flap 126 along the inner surface of the panel 136 and secured thereto by adhesive 130." 'Whenthe cover is thus folded, the panel 150 is juxtaposed against the strip 84'." The extension 116 on rear panel 16' extends above the top edges .of thefront and. rearpanels as seen in'FIG. 12 so that in swinging the covevr 94' to the closed position of FIG. .10 from the open position of FIG. 12, the. hinges 124, 124, with the cover are swunginwardly along'hinge lines 122, 122, and then the .cover is swung inwardly along hinge lines 128; 128'forward and downwardly as viewedinFIG. 12. The widthof the-tboX-like cover 94'=is slightly'wider than the width of the opentopof the box. body so that the closing operation of cover 94 is similar to .the closing operation of-cover94, the surfaces ofthesides 14'- and 18' of the box body frictionallyengagingthesides70' and 72 of'the cover. During .this operation, .the edge of :the front 66' :of the cover clears the topedge of ;the front 20? of "the tbody'and theinnersurfaee of the 1-front66' of'the cover frictionally engagesthe front 20'. of the box body, moving downwardly with a snap action.

Itwillthusibe seen that there is provided a die-cut onepiecepaper or cardboard blank," which can be used to set. .up a rectangular box with a hinged cover over an open top 7 body-to .close'the-same. Theboxcan-be used as a confold ,line 134. An elongated rectangular panel 136 "is connected to fla'p78 by afold line 138 and forms a continuation of flap 78'. 'Strip'84' is separated from panel 16'by an elongated slit 140 and panel 136 is separated from panel 20"by an elongated slit 142. Flap 7,8" is separated'from panel 18 by a slit'144 and flap 78' is separated from panel .14 by a slit 138. An elongated narrow rectangular panel 146 is connected laterally by panel 136 by'a fold'line 148 and a similar panel 150 isconnected laterally to panel 146 by a fold line 152. A flap 154 is connectedlaterally to flap 78' by a fold line 156 and is separated from the :adjacent end of panel 146by a slit 15S.

As viewed'in FIGS. 12 and 13, the free edges of the .flaps '18" .taper;dp,wnwardly from the strip-84"to the tainer for sundry articles such ,assmokers articles, drug supplies and accessories, etc. The hinged cover opens fully to'permit complete :access to'the interior of the rectangular body of the box. Once .the :box is'set up, the entire box including thebody and cover-remain in. the set up form. Y

While-I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments'of my invention, itis to be understood that I do not limit myself to' the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modificationsmay be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

Having thus ,described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1.'A paper box constructioncomprising abox body rectangular in configuration and in cross section, said body connected to said side flaps and folded inwardly toward each other, an elongated strip attached at one end to one side flap by a fold line and secured at its other end to a gummed flap attached to the other side flap, said pointed sides and tapered side flaps providing a snap action closure for the cover.

2. A paper box construction comprising a box body rectangular in configuration and in cross section, said body closed at the bottom by folded panels and flaps and being open at the top, a cover rectangular in configuration and in cross section, a hinge connection between the body and cover including a panel attached to the body by a fold line and attached to the cover by a fold line, the front of the body having a cutout portion at the top thereof, said cover constituted by a pair of rectangular panels connected by a fold line, side flaps carried by one of the panels, flaps connected to said side flaps and folded inwardly toward each other, an elongated strip attached at one end to one side flap by a fold line and secured at its other end to the other side flap, the top edges of the sides of the body tapering downwardly from the rear to the front thereof, thereby providing points at the rear of said sides, the free edges of the side flaps of the cover tapering from the panel mounting the side flaps to the strip, said cover being slightly wider than the width of the open top of the box body whereby in closing the cover the points engage the inside surfaces of the side flaps of the cover and the inner surfaces of said side flaps and the inner surface of the mounting panel of the cover frictionally engage the outer surfaces of the sides of the box body and the outer surface of the front of the box body providing a snap action closing operation for the cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,163,828 Chalmers June 27, 1939 2,358,790 Carruth Sept. 26, 1944 2,358,802 Glover Sept. 26, 1944 2,468,543 Chalmers Apr. 26, 1949 2,870,952 Ringler Jan. 27, 1959 2,956,722 Prussack Oct. 18, 1960 3,048,320 Hovland Aug. 7, 1962 

1. A PAPER BOX CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A BOX BODY RECTANGULAR IN CONFIGURATION AND IN CROSS SECTION, SAID BODY CLOSED AT THE BOTTOM BY FOLDED PANELS AND FLAPS AND BEING OPEN AT THE TOP, A COVER RECTANGULAR IN CONFIGURATION AND IN CROSS SECTION, A HINGE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BODY AND COVER INCLUDING A PANEL ATTACHED TO THE BODY BY A FOLD LINE AND ATTACHED TO THE COVER BY A FOLD LINE, THE FRONT OF THE BODY HAVING A CUTOUT PORTION AT THE TOP THEREOF, SAID BODY HAVING POINTED SIDES AT THE REAR, SAID COVER CONSTITUTED BY A PAIR OF RECTANGULAR PANELS CONNECTED BY A FOLD LINE, TAPERED SIDE FLAPS CARRIED BY ONE OF THE PANELS, FLAPS CONNECTED TO SAID SIDE FLAPS AND FOLDED INWARDLY TOWARD EACH OTHER, AN ELONGATED STRIP ATTACHED AT ONE END TO ONE SIDE FLAP BY A FOLD LINE AND SECURED AT ITS OTHER END TO A GUMMED FLAP ATTACHED TO THE OTHER SIDE FLAP, SAID POINTED SIDES AND TAPERED SIDE FLAPS PROVIDING A SNAP ACTION CLOSURE FOR THE COVER. 